Feathered Dinosaurs

The gorgeous Tanque Verde Wash is full of bird life!

Arizona is on fire this year, in a good way!  I've never seen so many energized birders on the trails around the state like I have this year.  I definitely get the sense that birding is becoming a cool "thing" with people.

Buff-breasted Flycatcher

Over the past two weekends, I've had a blast doing some personal birding with friends around Southern Arizona.  Each weekend, we've found something fantastic, and although the birds have been incredible, it wasn't a bird that left an impression on me. Instead, it was an enthusiastic young kid and his parents who were eavesdropping on our dinner conversation . 

Greater Short-horned Lizard

The birding community, like any group, is full of strange and cool humans.  I wasn't a birder since childhood like most of the birders I know.  I stumbled onto the birding craze because of my studies abroad and my attraction to the culture and nature surrounding the places.  That's not to say that I didn't love birds when I was younger because I did.  I would chase Killdeer across fields and secretly follow Ring-necked Pheasants to their roosts at my Grandparent's house.  So what connection do I have to these birders?  I know I'm one of them, but how?

Northern Beardless Tyrannulet-now that's a real dinosaur sounding name!

While on the trails, we've been followed by annoying birders, cool birders, secretive birders and photographers pretending to be birders. But hey, they all love birds so it's ok.  I've been contacted on and off the listserv about birds that I've refound by someone else or have been finding on my own.  

I imagined myself hopping up on that horse and running off away from that birder!

One birder, who I barely know, followed us on the trail and TALKED the entire time. I thought to myself, How in the world are we going to find birds, if you're talking all the time!?!!?  We tried to politely lose the person but it didn't work. You have to understand that there is history with this person. Another birder friend of ours, who was also on the trail, smiled at our attempts to shake this birder but ultimately she knew we'd fail.  This birder was trying to argue field mark points on random birds while we were trying to focus on hawks!  At one point, we did eventually break free, but when I got home, I had an email from this person!  How did this birder get it?!!!  I blocked the birder and then proceeded to get another email later on!!!  I felt a tad violated.  The second attempt to block seemed to do the trick.

From the Carpenter Bee group

Generally birders are awesome people, but I think we all know a few people in our circles who try our patience.  In my world, there are about 3 birders who I try to avoid and most of the time, I'm successful.  My Wisconsin manners have me act polite which is good, but I'm finding it harder the older I get to keep from snapping at challenging people.  I'm like an Elegant Trogon marking my territory with a bark!

We get our shoes wet trying to refind and get photos of a Broad-winged Hawk.  I had seen it the day previous but fell with my camera trying to get pics.  I wasn't very graceful:)

During one weekend, I had a blast with my friend Gordon Karre.  He's like the older brother I've never had.  We have a healthy competitive side that keeps us going strong.  Both of us get buried deep into our birding worlds helping others find birds, etc.  So I am always appreciative of any time we get to spend together to go birding.  

Northern Pygmy Owl

We had a magical day out on Mt. Lemmon exploring the trails and finding lots of great birds. The day would sadly end and my work week would begin again.  Finals are approaching and the madness of my job begins.  

An early Red-faced Warbler

Then Friday came.  A new birding friend, Steve Bonta, wanted to explore the Huachuca Mountains on Saturday so we set up the time to do so.  I met Steve this December while working on a CBC up on Mt. Lemmon.  We also make a good team finding birds. 

Scaled Quail

Don't worry, I'm not rambling here.  This story has a beginning and an end, but I need to give you the backstory of this past week.  

One of the several Red Warblers I saw around the mountains of Central Mexico

Two MEGA rarities showed up in Arizona, the Red Warbler ( I just saw this species outside of Mexico City) and the Fan-tailed Warbler near Portal.  Steve went to chase the Red Warbler on Mt. Lemmon.  Only a handful of birders, like Steve, got to see this incredible warbler.  A hundred + did not.  It was a first time record for the US and every ABA lister wet their pants to get a chance to go observe this warbler.  Thousands of dollars were spent on airfare and the following day, birders from all across the country showed up.  No bird. 

Red Crossbill

Conspiracy theories began like crazy. The ones who did not see it began to rationalize that the bird must have been a caged bird because of the wear on the feathers, etc etc. Some of those who saw it maintain that the bird is wild.  Me?  Well, I know Mexicans like to cage their birds(and sell them near the border), but what I didn't know was whether or not Mexicans caged Red Warblers. I would think that warblers would not do well in confinement. In the US, I have heard people joke about single women having a household full of cats.  In Mexico, the same is also said of women but with caged birds.  I have found several of those stereotypes to be true.  But I'm married.  What's my excuse?! Who am I kidding, hoarding cats is awesome.

Swainson's Hawk

We spoke with a good guy who leads tours around Mexico.  For most of us, the Red Warbler was a shock.  None of us expected such a bird to cross the borders of the US.  A first time record in AZ of a White-tipped Dove or Rusty Sparrow would be more likely.  But not a Red Warbler.  According to this expert, the bird was probably caged and escaped or was released somewhere in Mexico near the border. The Red Warbler is apparently captured in the wild like many of the colorful birds and sold on the black market in the pet trade. The warbler found its' way into our sky islands and into the correct habitat where it was observed. It was a one day wonder. Who knows what the official bird people will decide?  But it was exciting(and sad) to imagine this warbler in Tucson up on Mt. Lemmon. I hope it survives. If it is indeed wild, it's further proof that global warming is pushing birds north OR that birds are getting pushed out of their already crowded habitat due to human caused expansion.  Another conspiracy theory that I heard was that some unethical person from the American Ornithological Society(AOS), who held their conferences in Tucson, may have released the bird up on the mountain to kick start their event.  Ohhhhhh, the joys of birding politics!

Way cool and out in the open of normally skittish Band-tailed Pigeons!!!

A much more real possibility showed up the same week, the Fan-tailed Warbler.  So Steve and I ditched our plans at the last minute and headed to Portal to go find several key birds. He didn't have to twist my arm because I love Portal.  Any opportunity to go bird in that area is fantastic!

The epic Fan-tailed Warbler

We found this stunning bird out in the open.  Normally, when I've seen it in Mexico, it's skulking around the dark foliage.  So to have it just happily and casually bopping around someone's yard was a trip.  I'd like to thank the Taylor's for being so kind and allowing us couple of bird nerds to see this amazing warbler!  

So what about the boy?  Did I forget about him?  No.  I haven't.  After another amazing weekend out, Steve and I both went to celebrate at a great Mexican restaurant in Willcox. We happily were discussing birds in this busy restaurant and going over several endemic Mexican species for future treks.  Yes.  My eyes are on Mexico now. Anyhow, little did I know, but there was a couple with a bright eyed little boy eavesdropping on our conversation.  

I assume most people like birds but don't get into it any further than "liking" them.  There's a whole lot of planning that goes into this stuff.  At the end of our meal, the young man came up to us both and explained to us that he also went after the Fan-tailed Warbler but turned around at the Private Property sign.  We had spoken to the locals in Portal previously and they said to go past the sign but not get out of the car.  Most birders did not know this however and turned around.  Anyhow, I felt a small human emotion as I watched this serious young man share with us all his passion for birds.  And it gets better.  HIS PARENTS were taking him out birding for his birthday!!!

Part of the beautiful Chiricahua Mountain range

I wanted to hug them.  We had to get back to Tucson, but I told the parents that ever since I began my adventures in birding, my life has changed for the better.  I thanked them for supporting their kid and fostering his passion for birds.  But I had a bigger question for this little bird man, "Why birds?"

At Cave Creek Lodge in Portal.  A really nice place to bird once you've done your hiking.  Or not hike:)

"I don't know.  I liked dinosaurs.  And then I liked birds."  Steve laughed and said that he played with dinosaurs when he was a kid.  I also played with dinosaurs and knew every crazy name.  So dinosaurs were what linked us all together.  Birds are essentially living dinosaurs! We walked out together and waved good-bye. I think that was the best part of my day. 

This road is magical and will take you into the beautiful Chiricahua Mountains

Until next time......

This is for my friend in England from her blog Ragged Robin's Nature Notes.  I know we've never met but I hope we do.  This is in your honor, a Blueberry Peach pie:)

My Nomadic Inclinations

Arizona Gray Squirrel

As I hold in a pattern of wait before our next grand adventure, I hang out in my little cubby hole like the Arizona Gray Squirrel above.  

Black-headed Grosbeak

A lot of planning and work is going into the Las Aventuras summer and fall adventures.  Another exciting trek is also getting mapped out into a remote area of the world that many do not explore. There will be birds, culture, tequila and laughter. I look forward to that photo shoot. But for now....

Wild Turkey

Life is short.  One day you're a lizard eating an ant.  The next, you're food for a Mountain Pygmy Owl. 

Mountain Pygmy Owl

As I'm planning and budgeting the money, I'm keeping my birding local.  After all, this is Arizona birding.  There are so many opportunities to witness some of the world's most amazing birds close to home.  So in short, to keep the costs down, I've been birding locally. 

It's rather fun.  My challenge?  To keep my birding skills sharp as a knife.  But the other challenge?  To capture something truly amazing in that one moment.  It's one thing to take a pic of a bird; it's another to capture it doing something interesting. 

Verdin

So what was this weekend's challenge?  Well, it wasn't as exciting as last BUT it was still fun.  Near the White Citadel(San Xavier Del Bac), our group received word of an uncommon Black-bellied Whistling Duck in a mysterious watering hole.  That piqued my interest.  So I headed towards the mines of Moria and the White Citadel near the edges of my Old Pueblo.  And sure enough.....there was water in a great hole in the ground. 

The bird life was incredible.  How long have I lived here and never known about this obscure place?  Well, it's on my radar now.  Mission accomplished....in both senses of the word "mission":)  As I fine tune my Pima County birding, I'm also getting a sense that the regular Pima County birders are doing the same.  We have spread a net over our area and I'm liking the team work going on.  Before it was 2 or 3 birders finding rarities.  Now, it's more like 10 or 12 excellent birders covering the area.  

And quickly from the Tucson garden.  Ever notice white fuzzy spots on your Prickly Pear Cactus?  If the answer is yes, you're hosting the cochineal bug, a scale insect.  While watering my garden this weekend, I noticed that the scale had gotten out of control.

So I took the hose and washed off my cactus pads.  People have asked me if the scale is bad for their cactus.  Most years, it doesn't present a problem but for some reason, this year it has been bad.  We had a wet winter but it was followed by a super hot and dry spring....which allowed for the scale to grow! And it was doing damage.  So I took the hose to it. 

Cochineal Bug...notice the yellow coloring.  Not good.

As the scale washed off, it looked like blood pooling up around the base of the plant. The Cochineal bug plays an important role here in the Old Pueblo.  The native people use this bug to dye their clothes.  Historically, it was also important in the world trade market.  Today, this carmine dye is used primarily as a food colorant.

Last but not least.  Warblers.  This year has been a sensational year for so many warblers in the state of Arizona.  The year isn't over but look who has come to visit over the past several months.  Las Aventuras will continue the search this summer.

Until next time.....

Veni, Vidi, Vici

The power and beauty of nature! at Empire Gulch

This weekend was a whirlwind as the Wrenegades united once again for a good cause to find as many birds as we could around Southern Arizona. It was a successful trek into mountain, riparian, desert and grassland habitats.  Along the way, we avoided heat stroke, falling asleep at the wheel and a rabid skunk attack!

Northern Pygmy Owl

 Overall, our team discovered 163 birds which beat our record from last year. There were a lot of great birds that unfortunately were too far for my camera to pick up. Or it was too dark!  Among my favorites were an Olive-sided Flycatcher, Flammulated and Barn Owls, and Buff-breasted Flycatcher.

Two-tailed Swallowtail

 Timing is everything on these trips and it's tricky business doing three things at once. However, I need to train and practice for this upcoming Mexico trip! Finding the birds.  Entering the data.  And photo documentation.  By the end of our Audubon Birdathon, we were exhausted. I fell asleep but woke up later with a splitting headache!  I've never experienced that kind of pain before and I think it was related to an overworked eye.  It's intense non-stop birding that really doesn't allow for a break.  So when I got home, I took a shower and fell asleep. 

Wrenegade strategist and data analyst Tim leads the team over a stream to potential birds while Wrenegade surveyor Sara carefully scans the surrounding area with her excellent spotting. 

 But our treks were successful and very rewarding. Anytime you work with a group, you always pick up something new that you didn't know before. Take for example, these Black-tailed prairie dogs(below).  They are a threatened species that have been reintroduced back into the Ciénagas Grasslands near Sonoita after being wiped out since the early 1900's.  These mammals have been doing very well and seem to be reestablishing their population once again. In the past, ranchers poisoned these "pests" off their lands. This is a keystone species for the grasslands in that other species benefit by their presence.  Without them, other species begin to decline.  Since their introduction, Burrowing Owls have returned thanks to the abandoned Prairie dog burrows. 

In other news, I have been following my heart on several other birding treks.  We were going to hike up a mountain a week ago but it had rained that day.  Working on a hunch, we headed down to Cochise Lake and scored big!  Not only was it freezing cold(very unusual this time of year) but the storm pushed a thousand+ shorebirds our way!  Hot birds for this frigid day included my first state Sanderling, a Greater White-fronted Goose, Bonaparte's Gull, Forster's Tern, and my favorite, the Franklin's Gull(below).  

Large numbers of Lesser Yellowlegs(below), Long-billed Dowitchers and Wilson's Phalaropes were also present. White-faced Ibis and Marbled Godwits dotted the lake shore as well.  It was an amazing day out. Plus shorebirds are a fun challenge. Sometimes you gamble and win!  This day was definitely one of those times:)

Lesser Yellowlegs

It's now May and my current list for North American birds is at 303 species for the year. Last year I finished the year with 476 birds(including Mexico).  This year I hope to beat that number with 500. The Life bird chase has slowed down dramatically now until I am free from work for the summer.  This year has been quite unique for me. The "Americano" chapter of my birding life feels different.  For one thing, it lacks the crazy adrenaline chases of last year's "Across America".  It's much more relaxed, but I find myself pulled in deeper to the birds that I know. For many I smile, but for others I worry. 

American Avocet

For example, the Barn Owl below.  I have been documenting a lot of dead Barn Owls this year along our highways.  This particular LIVING owl is also nearby the interstate and I worry for its safety.  They are low flyers and are often hit by motor vehicles. Their numbers seem to be in decline in many areas.  When I see an owl, I get excited, but I never want to disturb them.  I quickly snap their picture from a distance and leave.  Sacred birds, they are.  I wish this one well!  

I leave you with a collage of the owls I've seen this year.  I've heard several others and will hopefully get some photo documentation on them. The Flammulated Owl still evades my camera. Although it had no problem flying over my head early Friday morning! Next week, we slow down and enjoy an event known as "The Big Sit".  If you'd like to donate to the Tucson Audubon, click here. A login is not required after you go to the donate button. Remember, we are the Wrenegades and our fearless leader is Jenny Wren:) A Birdathon Big Day is an important way to share the excitement of being outdoors and watching birds while raising funds to support the programs that make this region a better place for us all to live(or visit!) and enjoy. Since 1987, Birdathon has garnered support for birds and bird-friendly habitats, and for Tucson Audubon's work to conserve these unique natural resources and to educate our community on their importance.  Until next week friends....

Top left-Long-eared owl, Top right- Barn Owl, Bottom Left-Spotted Owl. Middle Right-Great Horned Owl  Bottom Right-Northern Pygmy Owl

A Band of Birders

The Green-tailed Towhee

The journey never ends and the birds are always out there just waiting to be found.  Part of the fun about birding is getting the chance to hang out with new and old friends of all ages!  

Milbert's Tortoiseshell Butterfly

And the part I love most is how spontaneous it all can be!  It's like being a kid again.

Cordilleran Flycatcher

Recently I have really gotten back into camping.  My family used to go often on the weekends while we were growing up in Wisconsin. It has been a lot of fun setting up "home" in the middle of the woods with friends.  The secret to a good nights sleep?  An air mattress:) 

Nesting Cordilleran Flycatchers

So on a trip to Greer, we, the band of birders, went looking for some elusive birds.  There we would discover many amazing birds like the American Dipper(finally!), Gray Jays, Pine Grosbeaks and a Long-eared Owl!

Of course, we'd spot many other beautiful things, but there's nothing quite like the company of fun people to enhance the birding experience. 

Northern Pygmy-Owl

Risk taking was something I used to do often when I was younger. Birding can be a lot like gambling.  You win some and you lose some. On Friday, we hit all of our target birds except the Dusky Grouse.  But with the unexpected Long-eared Owl making an appearance, it was a win-win for everyone...making up for the dip on the Grouse.

Then Saturday came.  Oh Saturday!  We drove to the 4 corners area to search for a Black-billed Magpie(below).  Why a gorgeous bird like this would hang around the 4 corners area is beyond me!  There had been reports of several birds in the area. And they were found in a tree-lined wash.  Okay, no problem.  So we drove a looooooong way to get there.....and gambled.

Black-billed Magpie in Colorado Springs, CO

Along the way, we joked and laughed really hoping we'd see this bird and count it on our state list.  The areas we had been passing were quite beautiful but not looking very Magpie friendly.  Eventually we arrived at the Klingon sounding(Star Trek reference/I'm a nerd) settlement known as Teec Nos Pos. Actually it's Navajo for "Cottonwoods in a Circle".  

Our intrepid crew!  Pic courtesy of Tommy D!  From left to right...Me, Magill, Gordon and Tommy

That made sense because the town was built around a wash full of Cottonwoods. This part of the Navajo Reservation reminded me of a ghost town. And not the good kind.  I swear there were zombies hiding behind trees. I don't know where all the people were, but it was dead silent. Thankfully we were a band of birders exploring strange new worlds and seeking out new life and new civilizations.  Or at least that's what I told myself:)

So we reached the area where the Magpies had been reported.  The habitat looked right. The coordinates were correct. So we hesitantly left our space shuttle vehicle. I was wearing a red shirt that day. Broken glass bottles sparkled in between the rocks. And there was trash everywhere.  Several trees were spray painted with colorful letters.  Dirty shirts and other clothing items draped tree branches. Perhaps a homeless encampment? Or maybe some sort of wild outdoor party happened here? There was evidence of beer drinking.  But the intrepid crew of the USS Gordon entered the forested area listening for a singular Magpie call. 

Solitary Sandpiper

One of the crew members explored a densely packed wooded area alone and discovered a human male shooting his arm full of drugs. "Yellow Alert!" (one condition level below Red Alert or meaning high caution) At this point, birds became secondary. Soon after, other humans arrived in a beat up car and our band of birders began to discuss the safety factors.  The heart to explore beats strongly in each of us, but sometimes the risk isn't worth it. And it was decided inside this rather sketchy and narrow wash that we would leave and explore around the settlement....at warp speed:)

Long-eared Owl

I could see the disappointment on people's faces.  I felt it as well!  It's hard to dip on a bird you know is in the area.  But safety first!  On this day, something triggered a couple of our alarms and I have found to trust in it for a good reason.  I have been incident free over the years while traveling here and there and I hope to keep it that way. 

American Dipper

However with that said, I enjoyed the experience very much.  I would never have gone to that part of the state alone and I was so glad we were able to explore new territory together.  Sometimes it's not always about getting the target bird....sometimes it's about something more. It won't be an experience I forget anytime soon. We thought we'd head to the 4 corners for a photo op on a human made landmark, but when we discovered that it was going to cost 5 bucks a person, we all said, "NO WAY!"  The bitter taste of dipping on the Magpie was still present.

Prairie Dog

But what's that saying? "Take milk from a cow and make a milkshake".  No no I think it's "Squeeze lemons and make a vodka lemonade:)" In any case, we birded our way back into Greer during a beautiful monsoon storm.  And that long trip back?  It wasn't long at all because we had fun trekking along the lakes on the return trip!  I discovered my mammal lifer!  The Prairie Dog. 

Male Calliope Hummingbird

And like the old childhood/college adventures, we returned to camp and planned our fun for the next day under the night sky while we ate our meal. Common Nighthawks called from the darkness.  The rain began to pitter patter down from the canopy of the trees.  A sign that it was time to retire into our tents.  That night I slept well as the cool breeze blew in under the tent flaps. 

As a side note, the 4 Corners area is safe as is most of Teec Nos Pos.  But many times, as in our case, we were searching in areas not populated or known by many people.  The birds always guide us.  Part of the fun in birding is playing the role of detective.  Unfortunately, there are places like the one we visited that can be sketchy.  Arizona has several of these birding hotspots and its always best to go in a group.  More next time....

From Sheep's Crossing in Greer!  A great place to go fishing and find an American Dipper:)  For more great birds and places to find them, check out Wild Bird Wednesday!